We do not have much information on the origin of the Zoramites. Alma 30:59 indicates that the Zoramites had dissented from the Nephites under the leadership of a man named Zoram. The following is a summary of what we know about their apostate condition:- They did not observe the law of Moses (see Alma 31:9).
- They had forsaken daily prayer (see v. 10).
- They perverted the ways of the Lord (see v. 11).
- They built synagogues for the purpose of worshiping one day a week (see v. 12).
- They built a prayer stand from which they offered the same prayer (see vv. 13–18).
- They believed God was and would always be a spirit (see v. 15).
- They believed the traditional beliefs of the Nephites were false (see v. 16).
- They believed there would be no Christ (see v. 16).
- They believed they were chosen to be the elect of God (see vv. 16–17).
When Alma saw the apostate condition of the Zoramites he knew what their problem was. According to verses 24–29, why do people often invent their own forms of worship?
Note in verses 30–35 Alma’s prayer for his companions and the success of their mission. It was during this mission that Alma’s son Corianton fell to the seductive temptations of the harlot Isabel (see Alma 39:2–3).
